Where Was “Planet of the Apes” Filmed?

Where is the desert from “Planet of the Apes”?

Back when the movie was made in the late 1960s, it would be very obvious if the filmmakers made a desert recreation on a Hollywood soundstage or backlot. The desert that surrounds Ape City looks appropriately sweltering and is sure to beg the question “Where was ‘Planet of the Apes’ filmed?”

The production went with the genuine article, and they filmed the desert in Arizona, mainly in the Glen Canyon area according to IMDB. Intermountain Histories writes that Glen Canyon can be found in Vermillion Cliffs National Park, located in northern Arizona. The first scene in the movie where the astronauts crash land was in Lake Powell, while the “Forbidden Zone” is at a place called Horseshoe Bend.

It was much harder to create an alien-feeling landscape without the use of modern technology. The filmmakers had to be quite clever and pick real-life locations like Glen Canyon to capture what they were looking for. Not all of the film was shot in Arizona, though. In fact, there are several other places for us to cover from “Planet of the Apes.”

Where did they film Ape City?

Much of the movie takes place in the city on the water where the apes have settled, known by the name of Ape City. The massive construction is a sight to behold in the movie, and fans who have seen it are sure to ask, “Where was ‘Planet of the Apes’ filmed?”

It turns out that the location used here was a little closer to Hollywood than Arizona. Then and Now Movie Locations tells us that Ape City was filmed in Malibu Creek State Park, on the shore of Century Lake. Sadly, it sounds like there are no traces of the set remaining, but you can still visit the site for yourself if you ever find yourself in Malibu Creek State Park.

Movie fans should be sure to check out the park if they want to see where “Planet of the Apes” and many other classics were shot. Malibu Creek State Park’s website tells us of some of the other movies that were filmed in the park. “Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid,” “Love Me Tender,” and “Pleasantville” were just a few.

Movies are no longer shot in the park, but that shouldn’t stop you from checking out the natural beauty it has to offer.

Scout out these 12 amazing desert photoshoot ideas to get that stunning shot for your production!